Forest Ecology

Instructor: Steven Clark            Clark Community College    Email: sclark@clark.edu

See the syllabus for due dates.

Writing in your own words: I don’t want you to quote something from another source (unless you put it in quotes and tell me who said it).  Here are some of my thoughts on the matter:

• On this paper the “right” answer isn’t as important to me as the brain exercise of trying to understand the book.  So, an answer that is off a bit is acceptable; it shows me where you truly are with regard to understanding something.
• Copying an answer or a phrase prevents you from taking the information, hashing it up in your brain with your thinking style then assembling it in your own way then writing it down.  That process is very important for thinking and making good sentences that say what you mean.  I’ll suffer through a little awkward writing to get the reward of your own thoughts.
• I realize students don’t want to write, “I don’t know” on a paper.  Feel free to begin your answer like this:
  • I barely understand this.  This is the part I get: Photosynthesis is . . .Or,
  • This is only a guess because I don’t know: Cells need . . . Or
  • The book says, “Diffusion is a process that . . .”  The only part of that I understand is that diffusion is natural—it doesn’t need help to get it going.

Those are fine answers for my purposes and I’d be happy to help you further on any of them.

Reading questions.  Chapter 5 and 6

Type your answers (you may hand print in your diagrams).  Do spell check; I will deduct a point for poor spelling.

Due at the beginning of next week’s class.  If you will arrive more than 10 minutes late, then email the assignment because I will deduct 50% for a late paper.

Single space.  12 point.  Limit your work to 2 pages.

1.                  Describe the circulation in the forest (including litter and precipitation).  Draw a diagram in addition to your written answer.

2.                  Does the “clean-it-up” model of forestry mimic a natural forest system?  Explain your answer.

3.                  Make a diagram and label (with one or two sentences describe the functions) phloem and xylem.  You may want to visit a web site for this.

4.                  How does the death of a tree increase forest diversity?  One would think it would decrease diversity.

5.                  Describe two features of old growth forests that make them somewhat fire resistant.

6.                  How many of each species do scientists believe exist:

·         Plants

·         Vertebrates (animals with backbones)

·         Bugs (according to Erwin)

7.                  Lattin says there may be 8,000 arthropods (bugs) at Andrews, most of them in the soil.  Why might there be so many organisms in the dirt (see pg 102 to help answer this)?

8.                  Why does Moldenke call bacteria the “engine of the ecosystem” (do not restrict your answer to a discussion of nitrogen)?

9.                  How does an arthropodometer work?

10.              Describe one way that logs benefit a stream.

11.              Tell me one thing that you'd like me to clarify in lecture.  Email this answer to me by Tuesday morning at 8 AM.